Snap switch



R. H. BENTLEY July 7, 1953 SNAP SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 9, 1950 July 7, 1953 l R, H, BENTLEY 2,644,865

SNAP SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1950 Patented July 7, 1953 SNAP SWITCH` Robert H. Bentley, Hartford, Conn.,` assignor to' The Arrow-Hart & Hegeman Electric Co., Hartford',Conn.,v a' corporation of Connecticut ApplicationJune 9, 1950, Serial No. 167,135.

(Cl. ZOU-67) 12 Claims. l This invention relates. to electricy switches. More particularly it` relates to electric snap switches.

In some uses of electric switches' it'` isnecessary to have an'operating member or spindle extend outthe' side of the casing since th'eoonclitions of usev prohibit the placing iof the operatingv lever at the top casing. Also it is sometimes needful that the mechanism beentirely enclosed and that the operating spindle may extend through an aperture in its enclosure onlylarge enough to admit its passage.V Additionally` there are occasions when operation of the switch in less thanthe usual angle of movement .of thev actuating lever is necessary.

Thereforev it is'an object of myv invention to provide a novel form Aof electricswitchY of the overcenter type in which the operating spindle ex-V tends from the side ofthe casingand in which the casing completely seals the mechanism so as to make it'dust-free'without the need of packing or gaskets or other additional elements.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a snap switch of the foregoing'Y type themeans for positively moving theswitching member after the operating spindleor element has been movedV throughgaJ small angle, thus positivelyI to start theV switching element onitsway afterthe' actu ating member'has moved through less than the normal angle 'of movement for'sucha'mechansm'.

Another' object" is tol provide simultaneous movement of Athe actuating vmeans andthe 'switch'- ing memberl toward overcenter position after' about Ahalf-travelvv of the actuating means' so as' to causeswitchv operation on movement ofthe actuating means' through a lesser angle than in conventional overcenterV mechanisms.

Another'object of my invention 'is to provide an electric switch of the foregoing type in which the parts may mainly bek stamped from sheet metalV andV may be inexpensively manufactured andassembled. V

Other objects and advantages `ofr the invention will appear as it is described in` connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings z` Fig.v 1 is a longitudinal section view taken along line --l of Fig. 2 of a'switchembodying the principles' of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section vewtaken' along line 2--2 of'Fig. 1; l

Figi 3 is a detail View showing in end elevation the left-hand spindle assembly of the switch' illustrated in Figs'. l and 2, certain parts beingv in section4 and 'certain' others being broken away for 'clearness 2 Fig. 4` is a detail elevation' view lookinginto the right side of Fig, 3;

Fig;v 5 is a detailed plan viewV partly in section illustrating only the switch spindle and the location thereon of the contact support, the operating` member therefor andv the positive kick-'off' member;

Fig. 6 is. an exploded perspective view ofthe parts Villustrated in Fig; 3 except the contact' element.

Referring to the' drawings, all parts of the switch mechanism are Lmounted on anoperatin'g spindle, some looselyand some nxedly so as to turn with the spindle as will hereinafter'more fully appear. The spindle is made in two like halves I8 and I8, whichare joined rigidly t0- geth'er. The spindlek and all parts mounted there# on are confined within a dust-proof insulating casing comprising .top and bottom sections I0 vand l2 which preferably' are hollowedout'andmolded from insulating material so as to cooperate with one another. The switchfspindle4 halves I8, I8 are mounted in semi-circular bearing recesses, one-half Illb being inthe top and the other half 12bA being in the bottom section of the casing at theadjacent edgesthereof in registering posi"-y tion. (See Fig. 2.) Thus when the casing halves lllA and l2 are joinedtogethertheyformcircular bearing openings for the switch spindle halves.

The outer ends of the spindle. halves extend beyond the casing walls and are preferably.`

formed with flattenedendportions. |81: which may be engaged with any suitable.y operating meanslexteriorof the 'casing'.by which the spindle may beioscillated..

It is'oftennecessary to use switches of this'sort in connection with gasoline pumps. Therefore it .is essential that they be entirely enclosed and dust-proof also. Byy having the switch spindle extend through the sideof the casing, and having.

20"", which `are preferably rstamped from sheet' metal material withv a' central aperture to fit over and'snuglyuponthe neck I8n sok as to' cause the spindle andA rocker elements'to turn together. The ends of the necks `I8n`-are^peened over upon- 3 the rocker elements to rigidly secure them upon the spindle halves.

As may be seen from Fig. 6 arms of each of the rocker elements lie on opposite sides of the spindle opening 29a. In the ends of the arms are formed holes to receive spacing elements 24 which may be formed from metal rods with reduced end portions to t in the holes of the rocker elements. The end portions of the spacer elements 24 are peened over against the surfaces of the rocker elements 20 and thus hold the rocker elements together rigidly as a single unit. Since the ends of necks I8n of the spindle I8' and I8 are also peened over upon the surfaces of the rocker elements, the spindle halves and rocker elements thus become a single unit.

Also mounted upon the necks I8n of the spindle halves and next to the rocker elements but outwardly of the spindle axis are positive kick-over elements I9', I9" which preferably are stamped from sheet metal into the form best illustrated in Fig. 6. In the center of these elements is punched an aperture to fit snugly over the neck In of the spindle so that the kick-over element will be revolved with the spindle. The kick-over elements each have an extension bent at right angles to the plane thereof from its periphery to form a. kick-over lug I9lc whose purpose will hereinafter more fully appear.

The mid-portion of each of the spindle halves I8', I8, is cylindrical and mounted on them respectively are similar oscillating switch arms22, 22", which preferably are stamped from sheet metal into the form best indicated in Fig. 6. The switch arms 22', 22 are joined together at their lower ends by a transverse strut 23 whose ends pass through apertures formed therein and are peened over to unite the arms together for oscillation as a unit, which will sometimes hereinafter be referred to as the switching member 22.

Also mounted upon the mid-section of the spindle halves are contact-supporting insulators in the form of molded insulation discs, 30, 3 I, having laterally extending hubs of reduced diameter 30h and 3Ih. on which are mounted bridging contacts 32 and 33 in such a manner as to turn with said insulating contact-supporting members 30 and 3|.

In order to cause the contact-supporting members 30 and 3I to rotate with the oscillating switch arms 22 and 22", a pair of parallel rectangular apertures such as 30a (Fig. 6) are provided in the radial faces of the supporting members 3D and 3l to receive parallel wings 22w formed upon and pressed at right angles to the plane of the oscillating members 22', 22".

To cause the switching member 22 to move with a snap action, an overcenter spring I is compressed and coiled about a spring-supporting member I4 which is preferably stamped from sheet metal with a bifurcated end to straddle the strut 23. A square washer I6 is pressed upon the strut 23 by the lower end of the spring I5, the washer being provided with a slot (not visible) extending transversely to receive the bifurcations of the spring support I4. At the upper end of the spring support I4 is another square washer I1 (also slotted like washer I5) which is pressed by spring I5 against the shoulders I4a, I4b laterally extending from and formed upon the upper end of spring supporting member I4. Washers I6 and I'I are preferably of width equal to the distanct between switching arms 22', 22" so as to keep the spring support I4 centered as the 4 graslers and support move between the arms In order to cause compression of the spring I 5 and then to swing it and its support I4 across center, and thereby to actuate the switching member 22 with a snap action, I provide a stamped sheet metal operating lever 26, the form of which may be observed from Fig. 1. This operating lever has a circular enlargement 26a on its lower end, which presses against the washer I1. The upper end of the operating lever is pivoted upon a bearing pin 2B which is seated in the bearing recesses 28b molded in the inside of the casing cover.

The operating member 26 is located between the two stampings 20' and 20 which make up the rocker member and can pivot between them about its own pivot 28 in order to move the overcenter spring assembly.

As readily appears in Fig. l and as will be further explained below, the vertical pressure components of spring I5 act on the lever 26 to hold the bearing pin 28 seated in the bearing recesses 28h. Hence those bearings can be open. This facilitates the molding of the casing cover and the assembly of the parts of the switch together.

In order to oscillate the operating lever 26 about its pivot 28, a stud or drive pin 21 is secured xedly between the two identical stampings 20 and 20, which make up the rocker member. The stud 2l preferably is formed from a. metal rod having reduced ends received in holes such as 20h in the rocker member 20. (See F12. 6.) The larger central portion of the drive pin 21 is adapted to slide within and engage the sides of an elongated opening 26h in the operating member 26.

In order to insure movement of the switching member 22 and at the same time to accelerate the overcenter action so as to accomplish switch operation on movement of the operating lever through a smaller angle than usual, the positive ki-ckover elements I9', I9" are provided. They cooperate with the switching member 22 in the following way. At the top of the switching arms 22', 22 there is provided an arcuate surface terminating at the shoulders 22s. The kick-over lug I9k of the hereinbefore described positive kick-over member I9 is adapted to move in a parallel arc over said arcuate surface and to abut or strike against one or the other of the shoulders 22s as the switch spindle is rotated. The kick-over member is so located with respect to the switch spindle that when the spindle is in either of its normal positions of rest, the kickover lug I9k will be located about in the center of the arcuate surface between the shoulders 22s as may be observed from Fig. 4. Thus after the switch spindle has been moved through approximately half of its full travel from one position of rest to another, the kick-over lug I9k will abut one of the shoulders 22s to start the movement of the switching member 22.

With the foregoing the operation of the device will be explained. Any suitable actuating means may engage with the extending end |81: of the switch spindle, either at one side or the other, or both, of the switch casing. Such actuating means upon rocking the spindle will cause the rocking member 20 (its arms 20', 20 and driving pin 21 moving as a unit with the spindle) to rock about the spindle axis. Such rocking motion will carry the drive pin 21 (referring to Fig. 1) in a counterclockwise direction. This movement of the pin by its engagement with the slot 26h in the operating agees-ses member.2 6,'causes the operatingmember 26ste.v

move in clockwise vdirection about its-xedpivot pin 28. The clockwise movement ofthe operating upon. the washer II as it'usual in overcenter.

springmechanisms.

After the spindle 82.18. and rocker 20 have` turned through about half the full. angleof movement (or in the example illustrated about 28), the rocker will be horizontal. At about that point the-kick-over lugs--lc'willbegin to abut theleft shoulders 22s. I-Iencev furtherV rotation of the spindle and rocker 20 will not only move the operatingKV lever 26 and further tension andmove the spring i toward overcenter position but also it will rock. the switching member. 22 oppositely toward overcenter position. `As a resultof th'e combined movements of the switching member and the operating member both approaching the overcenter position, but in opposite directions, the overcenter movement is accelerated as the critical point in the movement of the spindle is reached. As the critical overcenter point is reached both the operating and operated parts are moving in the direction that the spring will snap them. Thus movement of the spindle through a lesser angle accomplishes overcenter snap action easier than in conventional overcenter snap switches.

When the spring has been compressed and has moved so that the line of action thereof passes across the line between the then position of strut 213 and the axis of the spindle, the pressure of the overcenter spring will be reversed to move the switching member 22 with a snap action to a new position of rest. In other words, in Fig. 1 such overcenter action would tend to move the switching member 22 in counter-clockwise direction. Such movement of the switching member will rotate the contact supporting discs 30, 3| and in turn will cause movement of the contact members 32, 33 carried thereby. In this way the bridging contact members 32, 33 can be moved from one position to another to turn the switch on and 01T or from engagement with one set of contacts to engagement with another. The stationary ycontacts are indicated at 34, 35 in Fig. 2.

By coordinating the positive kick-over feature together with the rocking member and operating lever combination in the novel manner as described, a lighter switch spring can Ibe used than otherwise. This lengthens the life of the switch by reduced frictional wear and hammering of the parts. At the same time movement of the operating spindle through a lesser angle than heretofore causes operation of the switch so that it can be used in places where conventional constructions would not operate.

Many modifications within the scope of the art, and application of the invention to other switches of different details of construction, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore I do not limit it to the specific embodiment illustrated.

What is claimed is:

l. An electric snap switch comprising an overcenter mechanism, means to actuate said mechanism comprising a lever pivoted about a fixed pivot and engaging with said over-center mechanism to swing the same over-center, operating means rockable about a fixed pivot displaced from said rst xed pivot, and a driving connection between said rockable means and said lever to cause movement of thelever by said rockable means, movable contact means, and means to 6, mount said contactmeanspivotally around .the same axis as said operating means for movement independently of said operating means with a snap action. f

2. An electric snap switch as claimed in claim 1 and 'having a pin and slot driving connection between lsaid rockable means and said lever to cause movement of the lever by said rockable means, said pin and slot connection being between. the axis of said rockable means and the axes'of said lever. f f

3. An electricl snap switch comprisingan overcenter mechanism, contact means moved witha'.

mechanism comprising a lever pivoted aboutA a? iixedl pivot and engaging with said over-center mechanismt'o swing the same over-center, operating means rockableabout a xed pivot, and a driving connection between said rockable means and said lever to cause movement of the lever by said rockable means, an enclosing casing having cooperating parts, bearings for said rocking member pivot each bearing being formed partly in one and partly in another of said casing parts at the abutting edges thereof, said casing forming a substantially complete enclosure for said switch, which is dust proof.

4. An electric snap switch comprising an overcenter mechanism, contact moving means moved with a snap by said mechanism, contact means moved by said contact moving means, means to actuate said mechanism comprising a lever pivoted about a xed pivot and engaging with said over-center mechanism to swing the same overcenter, operating means rockable about a fixed pivot displaced from said iirst xed pivot, and a driving connection between said rockable means and said lever to cause movement of the lever by said rockable means, said contact moving means and rockable means being pivoted about the same axis.

5. An electric snap switch comprising an overcenter mechanism, contact moving means moved with a snap by said mechanism, contact means moved by said contact moving means, means to actuate said mechanism comprising a lever pivoted about a fixed pivot and engaging with said over-center mechanism to swing the same overcenter, operating means rockable about a xed pivot, and a driving connection between said rockable means and said lever to cause movement of the lever by said rockable means, said contact moving means and rockable means being pivoted about the same axis, and a casing for said switch having cooperating parts, an open bearing formed in one part, a pivot for said lever held seated in said bearing by the pressure from said over-center mechanism.

6. A switch as claimed in claim 5 having cooperating -bearing surfaces in the abutting edges of said casing parts forming a bearing for the pivot of said rockable means.

7. An electric snap switch comprising overcenter switch means, a switching member, a lever for operating said over-center means, a xed pivot for said lever, rockable means having a connection with said lever` for moving it, a xed pivotal axis for said rockable means, means moving with said rockable means and engageable with said switching member when said rocking means has moved approximately through half its angle of movement to start said switching mem- .ber toward over-center position, whereby the over-center action is accelerated by the simultaneous movement of said over-center means and said switching member toward over-center position 8. An electric switch as claimed in claim 'l wherein the fixed axis for the rockable means is a spindle, in combination with a casing having cooperating parts, bearings which are each partly formed in adjacent edges of the side walls of the casing for said spindle and a portion of the spindle extending at the side of the casing for operating the switch.

9. An electric switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rockable means comprises a two part spindle on which is mounted a rocking member that joins said spindle parts for operation as a unit.

10. A switch as claimed in claim 9 wherein said lever moves between said spindle parts.

11. A switch as claimed in claim 7 having a. pin

and slot connection between said rockable means and said lever, said connection being located between the axes of said lever and said rockable means.

12. A switch as claimed in claim 7 mounted in a casing having cooperating parts, an open bearing in one of said casing parts for the pivot of said lever, said over-center means holding said pivot seated in said bearing.

ROBERT H. BENTLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,602,871 Aalborg Oct. 12, 1926 2,468,463 Rowe Apr. 26, 1949 2,529,716 Vaksvik et al Nov. 14, 1950 

